Action Research holds a new meaning for me. I knew that in order to improve upon a
procedure, instruction strategy, school climate or simply to make a success
sustainable, there needed to be a process in place that provided access to
explore current practices and theories. More importantly, I learned that it is
absolutely imperative that administrators/leaders continue to grow in their
profession just as teachers are expected to adapt and grow with the changing
times.
Just as teachers get inundated with paperwork, parent
concerns, behavior issues, state mandates, etc., principals do as well. Too often we get into situations where we are
reacting to triggers that could have been avoided if we had been
proactive. Engagement in inquiry enables
you to take charge of something in the midst of all of the responding and reacting
a principal becomes engaged in (Dana 2009). It is a process that allows you to
focus on one issue for a period of time.
As I began this course, I was unaware of the
technical and procedural nature of action research. It is a very deliberate and systematic inquiry
process that should be carried out over a period time. It is critical to research literature and
process the information to determine its relevance to your issue. This issue begins with a “wondering.” It is as
simple as that. I think back at all of the
“wonderings” I have had over the years as a classroom teacher and that is all
they were. I never took them a step
further, which leads to my biggest concern.
Time
I continue to struggle in my career with time. There is always so much to do and so little
time to do it. The many hats I where as
a classroom teacher don’t come off when I leave campus at the end of the
day. My work comes home with me. Grading papers, reflecting on the day’s
lessons, reflecting on daily student issues, and preparation for the next day’s
lessons. Not to mention my
responsibilities as a mother and wife.
Although, I know it is imperative to continue my learning and
development as a leader and educator, how do I fit it all in? Principals/leaders have asked themselves the
same question. The answer? You find a way. I think that if you focus on
fixing, modifying or improving one idea (or wondering) and you do so
deliberately with the upmost best intentions, then you can get it done. One step at a time. I think the key to make it work is to focus
on one issue and see it through to the end.
Don’t start too many projects at once as you will be spread too thin and
will not be able to devote what little time you have to every project. Focus on one “wondering” and do it well.
Change is hard. It is especially hard when you are comfortable. This comfort zone becomes a dead zone where
ideas often wither and die. It is important
that the right people are on board with you as a leader. According to Harris, Edmondson and Combs
(2010), everybody needs to be on the same bus and in the right seats. This reminds me of a book I read entitled, The
Energy Bus, by Jon Gordon. It is
about positive energy. It is vital to the
success of your research that you collaborate with all stakeholders and value
their input as this does promote positive energy and cooperation. According to Atul Gawande, surgeon and Harvard
medical professor, “Genius doesn’t make you great; how you work in a system
does” (Vargas). Leaders cannot work alone. As it takes a village to raise a family, it
takes a team to bring about change.
